Tokyo's Coolest Sound

Here's the first album from idol group Sakura Gakuin. I'm bringing it up because the song "Dear Mr.Socrates", sung by sub-group Twinklestars (the "baton" section) is produced by ex-Cymbals' Okii Reiji, and despite the clear idol direction with the many girls, you can surely recognize a Shibuya-kei vibe in there!.. in this song that is. As a plus it seems like all these teenage girls can really sing. Do check out the sample video clip below.

Well, this album is offered in an hallucinating 4 editions(!), three limited ones named "sa" "ku" and "ra" with each a different DVD, and a regular edition of the CD only. I'd recommend either the "ku" edition which has a segment with the "baton section" on its DVD, or just the CD alone. For those who just want the one song, iTunes Japan offers "Dear Mr.Socrates" individually.

Sakura gakuin "Sakura gakuin 2010nendo ~message~"
さくら学院 「さくら学院 2010年度 ～message～」

1. FLY AWAY
2. Hello ! IVY
3. Chime
4. Happy Birthday
5. medake no keimai
6. Dear Mr.Socrates
7. Brand New Day
8. do-ki-do-ki Morning
9. yume ni mukatte
10. message
(Regular edition has a bonus track "Princess A La Mode" and a different track order)

DVD "sa" (Limited edition "sa" only)
1. yume ni mukatte (Music Clip)
2. 1jikanme "Sakura gakuin nukiuchi gakunenmatsu Test"
3. Cooking bu "Mini Patty" Corner
4. Bonus footage

DVD "ku" (Limited edition "ku" only)
1. Hello ! IVY (Music Clip)
2. 2jikanme "Sakura gakuin shinkenshōbu!!"
3. Baton bu "Twinklestars" Corner
4. Bonus footage

DVD "ra" (Limited edition "ra" only)
1. message (Music Clip)
2. 3jikanme "Sakura gauin yasumi jikan ~tennyūsei ga!?~"
3. jūon bu "BABYMETAL" × shinbun bu "SCOOPERS" Corner
4. Bonus footage

Limited edition "sa" (CD+DVD "sa")
Toys Factory TFCC-86349
Out now (4/27), ¥3143 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (19% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Limited edition "ku" (CD+DVD "ku")
Toys Factory TFCC-86350
Out now (4/27), ¥3143 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (19% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Limited edition "ra" (CD+DVD "ra")
Toys Factory TFCC-86351
Out now (4/27), ¥3143 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon (19% off *), HMV (10% off *), Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
* Discount at time of writing
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

Regular edition (CD only)
Toys Factory TFCC-86352
Out now (4/27), ¥2667 (excl. 10% tax)
Order: CDJapan, Play-Asia, Amazon, HMV, Tower Records (Japan only) ^†, YesAsia
† Tower Records ships directly within Japan only. International orders are available via WorldShopping.

"Dear Mr.Socrates" (sample)